Daily Pinball Digest for 5/14/2025

As the curtain rises post-King Kong launch, Stern’s latest continues to dominate attention in both news and gameplay streams, with several creators offering new takes and behind-the-scenes glimpses. Meanwhile, the IFPA’s Stern Rewards Program gets a boost from Dungeons & Dragons and Metallica, and arcade developments from China to Nashville hint at a lively summer ahead for operators and fans. Plus, creators dig deep into the tech side, and throw some well-aimed jokes in online competition.

Industry News

IFPA: Stern Rewards Program – Dungeons & Dragons Pro/Premium and Metallica Remastered added!
2025-05-13
Stern’s rewards program just added Dungeons & Dragons Pro, D&D Premium, and Metallica Remastered Premium to its lineup. Detailed rules and updated lists are linked for competitive and location players chasing rewards.
Link: https://www.ifpapinball.com/stern-rewards-program-dungeons-dragons-pro-premium-and-metallica-remastered-added/

Arcade Heroes: AAA 2025 Day 2: More Arcade Games Debuting In China
2025-05-13
Arcade Heroes recaps day two of China’s AAA 2025 expo, spotlighting new titles (despite photo-sharing bans), with updates on UNIS and Ace Amusement releases.
Link: https://arcadeheroes.com/2025/05/13/aaa-2025-day-2-more-arcade-games-debuting-in-china/

Replay Magazine: National Darts Day Established by TouchTunes
2025-05-13
TouchTunes and Arachnid mark Arachnid’s 50th anniversary by establishing National Darts Day, set for June 29, celebrating the darts community.
Link: https://www.replaymag.com/national-darts-day-established-by-touchtunes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=national-darts-day-established-by-touchtunes

Replay Magazine: Warren Asing Celebration of Life
2025-05-13
A memorial event for Hawaii coin-op legend Warren Asing will be held May 27 at Honolulu’s Outrigger Canoe Club, open to friends and industry peers.
Link: https://www.replaymag.com/warren-asing-celebration-of-life/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=warren-asing-celebration-of-life

Replay Magazine: Vintage Lanes Now Open in Indiana
2025-05-13
Vintage Lanes, a new two-story duckpin bowling alley with a wine bar, has opened in Madison, Indiana, reviving bowling in the city after an eight-year gap.
Link: https://www.replaymag.com/vintage-lanes-now-open-in-indiana/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=vintage-lanes-now-open-in-indiana

Replay Magazine: The Back Nine Golf Approved in Keller
2025-05-13
Back Nine Golf, a 24/7 indoor golf simulator facility featuring real-course simulations, has been approved for Keller, Texas.
Link: https://www.replaymag.com/the-back-nine-golf-approved-in-keller/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-back-nine-golf-approved-in-keller

Replay Magazine: SynthesisVR Expands Library Through SpringboardVR
2025-05-13
SynthesisVR expands its experience library by adding Metro Awakening and Maestro, following its acquisition of SpringboardVR from Vertigo Games.
Link: https://www.replaymag.com/synthesisvr-expands-library-through-springboardvr/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=synthesisvr-expands-library-through-springboardvr

Replay Magazine: PopStroke in Nashville Under Construction
2025-05-14
PopStroke—the Tiger Woods-backed mini golf entertainment complex—is building a major new venue in Nashville featuring three courses, bars, and a restaurant.
Link: https://www.replaymag.com/popstroke-in-nashville-under-construction/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=popstroke-in-nashville-under-construction

Knapp Arcade: News From the Vid Side of the Arcade
2025-05-13
Knapp Arcade offers commentary and news on non-pinball arcade cabinets, introducing new developments and releases for video arcade fans.
Link: https://www.knapparcade.org/post/news-from-the-vid-side-of-the-arcade

Podcasts & Streams

Bash Pinball: We Played King Kong at the Stern Factory!! Part 2
2025-05-14
Bash Pinball shares part 2 of their exclusive visit to Stern’s factory, focusing on hands-on gameplay with King Kong: Myth of Terror Island and interactions with the design team.
Link: https://www.bashpinball.com/2025/05/14/kingkongp2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kingkongp2

dirtypoolpinball: King Kong Pinball - Ep01 - Monkey Business
2025-05-13
Kicking off the King Kong: Myth of Terror Island series, dirtypoolpinball dives into early gameplay impressions and table features.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSOEnr1swdk

EnterYourInitials: Episode 419 - Stern Pinball's Foo Fighters - Stern Leaderboard Attack - May 2025
2025-05-14
Competitive Foo Fighters play with leaderboard runs, demonstrating new rules and high-score strategies on the Stern production model.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g4r7IpBMkg

HUPChallenge: HUP FIGHTIN DEM FOOS PINBALL
2025-05-13
A casual, live-competition video with commentary, as HUPChallenge tackles Foo Fighters pinball with a focus on technique and banter.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFxbIp5JRZA

Erin Winick Anthony: One of the only pinball machines to feature actually NASA art
2025-05-13
A brief explainer highlighting a rare pinball title with officially licensed NASA artwork, situating the table’s history in the arcade canon.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvWtBE4Wvks

Pinball Shenanigans: Part 11: 1981 Stern Viper Project! Dealing with this MASSIVE turret mech!
2025-05-13
Pinball Shenanigans details a restoration step-by-step, focusing on tackling the challenging turret mechanism in a Stern Viper.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iNxL1dEnbk

Chris Hibler Pinball: Gottlieb Monte Carlo MPU Corrosion Abatement and Test
2025-05-13
This hands-on repair video showcases how to treat and test a heavily corroded MPU from Gottlieb’s Monte Carlo, including prep and reinstallation tips.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6O5eDAwKXc

*Note: Our daily updates are a semi-automated project leveraging AI and human curation. It will evolve!

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